Same Book, New Chapters

A/N: Umm…this is a one-shot that just wouldn’t stay buried in my brain. It is set in my Number One Girl universe – a future fic, if you like – I don’t think it really contains any spoilers because we know that Harry and Hermione would end up together anyway and the main ship that I am toying with isn’t really mentioned here at all.

But enough gabble from me, I hope this is enjoyable. For whatever reason, I couldn’t contain myself and just had to write it – an idea that wouldn’t go away.

P.S. Many thanks yet again for all the wonderful reviews for NOG. I am pleasantly touched and hope that chapter 3 will be up in the next few days…Thank you all, again!

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‘I can’t do this!’

‘Yes you can.’

‘I’m going to be sick…’

‘No you aren’t.’

‘I’m ruining his life!’

‘Oh, for Heaven’s sake!’ snapped a very irritable Hermione Granger. ‘Will you just calm down – I have heard of pre-wedding jitters, but this is ridiculous!’

The woman bewailing in question, simply stared and then disdainfully turned back to the mirror. She fussed with the veil and then twiddled her thumbs. Then she flicked away imaginary specks of dirt from the simple yet elegant wedding dress she wore and then twiddled her thumbs again. Then reached up to tap her face and see if the make up was fine. And then rubbed her palms. And then squinted at her figure. And then sighed mournfully,

‘I don’t…’

‘Ginevra Molly Weasley!’ Hermione thundered. ‘That’s it! I’ve had just about enough – what on earth is going on with you?’

Seeing the shocked look on her friend’s face, her set face softened and taking a deep breath she reached over and drew Ginny to a chaise lounge where she sat her down taking care not to disturb the dress. She herself kneeled in front of her and then grasping her hands, spoke gently, ‘Ginny is everything alright?’ Then, as a horrible notion rippled through her, she whispered, ‘you…are you…are you having second thoughts?’

Ginny’s head snapped up and she shook her hands free, a pale look colouring her face, ‘No, no, no! God, no! I do still love him, more than ever, and I am thrilled that the day is finally here, but I…I don’t know, I also feel just a bit sad and I feel scared, Hermione! I…I don’t know how to be a wife, and what if I disappoint him and oh God!’…and she promptly burst into tears.

Hermione let out a breath she didn’t realise that she had been holding. It reassured her to no end that Ginny wasn’t thinking of calling the wedding. She would have done everything in her power to get Ginny to think otherwise, had it been so. The man waiting at the altar was one of the best things to ever happen to her friend and there was no way that she was letting her do something exceedingly idiotic to mess this up.

But the call of the hour was to comfort her friend. A closer look revealed that she needn’t have bothered with looking up those make up charms anyway – they were all but barely gone, washed away by the waterfall of tears that cascaded down Ginny’s cheeks and – Hermione noticed, with abject horror – about to soak into her wedding dress.

She rushed over to stem the flow and warmly hugged her friend, ‘Ginny, what on earth are you going on about? What’s all this rubbish about you not being a good wife? I need you to be honest with me, ok? Something’s been bothering you ever since we met up to go shopping last week.’

Ginny sighed and wiped her eyes again, smiling wanly at the wince on Hermione’s face. ‘Let me guess, I look a sight, don’t I? Did I just completely smudge the eye shadow?’

Hermione rolled her eyes, grinning reluctantly and gestured towards the mirror. ‘You could pass for a rock star with that patch around your eyes.’ After looking at her reflection, Ginny agreed with her and shook her head.

‘Now, Ginny, like I said, everything and not a word left out?’

Ginny nodded and started to pace, ‘You remember when we went to The Leaky Cauldron for lunch last weeks, you ducked out for a minute to go to Flourish and Botts because you’d left a package there…’

Hermione frowned in thought and chewing on her lower lip, nodded in affirmation.

‘Well, when I waited for you, these two ladies came and sat down at a table not too far from ours. Either they didn’t know that they were loud or they evidently wanted to give me a headache…’, she trailed off as the memories of that day threatened to overwhelm her.

‘Ginny....’ Hermione’s voice was concerned and soothing. ‘Did they say…?’

She got a hollow laugh in response. ‘Oh no, Hermione. They didn’t say anything to me. After all, I hardly ever proclaimed my engagement – I still don’t know how it came in the Prophet two days back.’

‘Go on.’ Hermione gently encouraged.

‘Yes, well, so I was sitting there and waiting for you to come. And one of them started to talk about how her daughter had recently been married. And then went on to say how her daughter’s life had completely changed. She never came home all that often, she was tied up with the kids, she gave up her job, and her husband had turned out to be so awful….and...’ Ginny promptly burst into renewed sobs.

Hermione simply stared. Opened her mouth to speak and then snapped it shut again.

‘Ginny’, she began not quite knowing whether to throttle or comfort the girl in front of her, ‘Are you seriously telling me that you think…’

‘No, Hermione! No, not at all. I completely trust him and I don’t think he’d ever do anything like that to me, but its such a…such a change, and things will be so different and I am just a little girl and I’ll be horrible to him, I just know it!’ she ended on a piteous wail, which only served to make Hermione roll her eyes and tap her feet in a gesture of impatience.

As she watched her friend trying to compose herself, and tried to frame her own response, although she would have much preferred the more masculine method of placing a swift kick in the behind, she mentally tried to recall the two that had so unknowingly set ablaze the smouldering insecurities that she knew had been piling up inside Ginny for a while. They had waltzed out the door, all feathers and money, and gossip and snobbery, and nearly knocked her over as she attempted to get inside the pub.

But even then, surely the words of two imbecilic, cantankerous hags shouldn’t be mattering all this much to Ginny? Something had suddenly happened; it must have, if Ginny was taking stray comments – that weren’t even directed specifically at her – to heart. She squared her shoulders and resolutely stepped in front of Ginny. There was a wedding out there, about to start in less than fifteen minutes, and she wasn’t going to let a few weak moments get in the way of her friend’s happiness.

‘Ginny,’ she began, in what she hoped was a sincere, yet firm tone that brooked no refusal. ‘I cannot say that I completely understand what the issue seems to be here. You love him and he loves you – both quite dearly, may I add – and your families are alright with this match and so are your friends, and you let some loose words actually get in the way of your happiness? Why do this to yourself? What exactly is it that you are afraid of? Notwithstanding the fact that you can trust him, you’ve known him nearly all your life, Gin! Surely that’s saying something?’

Ginny slowly looked up from her abashed gaze at the floor and whispered brokenly, ‘That girl…they were talking about…she….only her mother talks to her anymore, the rest of her family hates her for not talking to them after she got married, she had seven siblings, and now they all hate her! They hate her, Hermione!’ She again focused her gaze on the floor as a choked sob shook her.

Hermione’s eyes had all but disappeared into her hairline and she felt a sudden rush of sympathy for her friend. Oh Ginny…so that’s it.

She reached up and hugged her warmly, and then pulled back to look into her bloodshot eyes and miserable, make up streaked face, ‘Ginny, will you listen very carefully to me? Promise that you will think deeply about what I am going to say to you?’

Ginny nodded, not trusting herself to speak and clutched at Hermione’s hands like a lifeline.

‘I want an honest answer here, Ginny. Are you scared of marriage because you think that you will be putting your parental family below your own?’

Ginny pulled her hands away as if burnt and shot up from her seat. She turned and Hermione closed her eyes in sympathy as she noticed her shoulders shaking. Reaching up she again hugged Ginny and drew her to sit down again.

‘Right then,’ she continued in the same soft and firm tone. ‘Now that we’re getting somewhere, I want you once again to think carefully about what I am going to say to you.’ She paused to gather her thoughts and then reached into her bag and rummaged for two books – one was an album and the other was, unsurprisingly enough, Hogwarts, A History. She placed both books on her lap – both were the size of an average Muggle paperback novel, it was possible to find Hogwarts A History in various editions – and then first pushed her beloved companion for ‘light reading’ forwards.

‘Open it to the first page, Ginny.’

Ginny frowned but picked up the book anyway and then as instructed, came upon the opening page which was blank.

‘Now turn it over and go to the next page. No don’t argue, just do it. I’ll tell you, ok?’

With an uncertain look, Ginny turned the page again, this time coming to the title in bold, black Old English script.

‘Now, the next one.’

Ginny huffed impatiently and then flipped the page over again. Now she came upon a small blurb about the purpose of the book and a quick summation of why Hogwarts was renowned for its magical education. She flipped it over again and then came to a table of contents. Unable to bear it any longer, she burst out. ‘Ok, so now what Hermione? Is that your solution – read Hogwarts A History?! Is that your solution to everything?’

Hermione groaned and then narrowed her eyes, ‘Contrary to what you may think, I am not addicted to that book.’

Disbelieving huff and dismissive wave of hands were her response to that proclamation.

‘Yes, quite. And as to why I made you that – it’s because our lives are like that, Gin.’ Seeing Ginny’s curiosity increasing at her oblique response, she pressed on, ‘A book is interesting and enjoyable when it is made up of various elements that add up to provide colour. When you opened the first page, you comprehended nothing and then the title and then a little more information and then more, until finally you had the capacity to suddenly take in a lot more and appreciate the composite experience all the chapters put together will have given you.’

Ginny’s head sank down to her chest and when she spoke, it was barely audible, ‘How so, Hermione? How are marriage and that book similar?’

Her expression was so lost and forlorn that Hermione again kneeled before her and then grasped her hands, ‘It simply means that you make your heart large enough to accommodate more love, Gin. By marrying today, your love for your family and your brothers isn’t going to be any less. Nor is your life going to be one hundred percent different. Yes, there will be change and there should be change, because its like writing a new chapter in your life.’

Ginny stared back, wistfully, ‘It sounds lovely when you put it like that, but…’

‘But no buts, Ginny.’ Hermione interrupted. ‘When you look back on your life after another thirty years, it should be like a book you’d want to curl up with and read. Each chapter is a phase of our life, Gin and one doesn’t necessarily have to undermine the other. Its up to us as to how we use our minds and our hearts to write the pages of our life.’

‘Kind of like a quill, eh?’ It was a watery giggle but it was a happy sign nonetheless and Hermione seized on to it eagerly.

‘Yes, Ginny, sort of like that. And besides,’ she continued, placing a gentle hand on her friend’s chin and forcing her to meet her eyes, ‘wouldn’t it be lovely to know that you are now going to sharing the pages of your life with another quill who will be you always? You can always go back to read the chapters before, they are always there waiting for you and now you can also go on to use the combination of your quill with a new one to pen more chapters.’

A silence enveloped the room for a second and then Ginny launched herself at Hermione, hugging her fiercely, laughing and crying simultaneously, ‘Oh Hermione, what would I do without you?’ She pulled back and wiped her eyes, truly dissolving what little eye shadow was now left, and then laughed again, ‘Some of what you said was a tad riotous’ – and Hermione groaned, so much for sentiment – ‘but I got the gist of what you were saying.’ She ended on a serious note, ‘You’re right. They are there and I am still a Weasley but I am just going out to add a new identity.’

Hermione grinned. ‘That’s the spirit, Ginny. Come on, then a few flicks and you should be as good as-…’

‘No.’ Ginny held up her hand. ‘Just help me clear this mess off my face and see to my gown, please? I don’t really want to look all that different. It’s just plain me, and it’s the plain me that he wants to marry, so I’d rather be neat without all the extra trappings.’

Hermione smiled back warmly and blinked back tears, ‘That’s a beautiful thought, Gin. Let’s get to work, then.’

As she sat, Ginny suddenly remembered, ‘What about the album, Hermione? What was that for?’

Busily brushing the make up off with soft balls of cotton, Hermione replied with a laugh, ‘It’s the same idea, Gin. You start off your album with you and your family. Over the years, your album will accommodate a lot more people, until your last photo should be the grand extravaganza – spanning generations, if you will. You don’t lose those you love Gin, and those you begin to love do not replace others. You simply begin to love in different ways and open up your heart to accommodate them all.’

Ginny stood up and then silently hugged Hermione in a gesture of gratitude. Hermione simply kept quiet and returned the gesture.

Within a moment, Ginny had gone back to being the bride; just in time to hear a knock and then see Luna’s head poking around the door.

‘Oh Ginny, you look lovely. Your groom might not be able to handle this you know. He’s already having kittens at the altar, although Fred and George may have something to do with that.’

Ginny growled, ‘Have they been teasing him again?’

Seeing her rising temper, Hermione rushed to calm her, ‘They must be fooling around, Ginny. You know they all love him very much and in fact, they are very thankful that you fell in love with him. Come on now, let’s get out there. Luna, surely it should be time now?’

‘Yes, that’s what I came to tell you. Dad should be coming here any minute – oh here he is! She’s all ready for the walk, Dad.’

Arthur Weasley placed an affectionate kiss on his daughter-in-law’s forehead and then stared at his youngest child, his little girl who was to be joined in marriage today. He opened his arms and Ginny flew into them. No words were required and none were said. Hermione and Luna quietly slipped out of the room, wanting to give father and daughter their moment.

Luna winced and made a grab for her lower back as she abruptly stopped and groaned softly. Hermione wrapped an arm around her and slowly started to knead her back, ‘Luna, is everything alright? Is it time already?’

Luna patted her protruding abdomen and scowled, ‘No, there’s still two weeks to go.’ She sighed, ‘Ron has been a real dear but I know that I have put him through hell these nine months.’

Hermione giggled uncharacteristically and then schooled her features into a semblance of composure as they were met by the very topic of conversation upon emerging into the ground. He took one look at his wife and rushed over to support her and gently lead her to the chairs spread about the Hogwarts grounds. The wedding was to be near the lake and the giant squid could be seen waving its tentacles lazily as usual.

‘Going to see Ginny was a stupid thing, Luna. You know you shouldn’t have gone alone. Merlin, what if you had fallen or if you were in pain or…’

‘Yes, yes I get the picture and I am sorry, alright? But it was only a short walk, Ronald.’ And seeing another person come up behind him, she shook a finger at him, ‘And don’t you start with me as well, Harry Potter.’

Harry held up his hands in surrender, but had a reproving look on his face all the same, ‘I’m not going to come in the middle Luna, but Ron has a point. We nearly went frantic with worry when we looked around and saw you missing.’

Ron leaned down to kiss his wife and then gently caressed her cheek, ‘Now, don’t go too far from me, ok? I have to be able to see you and know that I can help you.’

‘Oh Ron....’ But the rest of Luna’s murmurs were lost as she and her husband kissed and Harry grinned and turned to go, holding his arm out to Hermione who was watching the couple fondly.

They made their way towards the altar where they came upon the hapless groom, now being spoken to by Bill and Charlie, Fred and George apparently having become convinced that this man would be good to their only sister. He fairly squealed with joy upon spotting Harry and Hermione and happily raced over to them pausing only to utter monosyllabic goodbyes to his two eldest brother-in-laws.

Harry reached out and gave a firm handshake. ‘So, the grilling is still going on then?’

Neville reached up to mop his sweat coated brow with a large handkerchief. ‘I have heard about overprotective brothers, but my God, the amount of threats I have received today! You’d think that I hadn’t been dating her for the last three years or so!’

Hermione squeezed his arm, ‘I know, but it’s a bit tough on them as well. After all, she is their baby girl and letting go of her is difficult. They have every bit of faith and pride in you, if that’s a consolation.’ She followed up her encouragement with a kiss on the cheek and Neville nodded, ‘Could have fooled me, but I guess…’

‘Oi! Neville! Can I have a word, mate?’

Neville rolled his eyes but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. ‘I was thinking who was left out. Well, I’ll see you later, oh how is Ginny doing?’

Hermione gave him a warm smile, ‘She’s fine and looking forward to this very much.’ She grinned at the slight blush colouring his cheeks and watched as he turned to go help Luna over to a chair and then chat with her and Ron.

Harry led her over to a quieter section of the grounds by the lake, further away from the crowd, and pulled her down to sit next to him. He gave off a blissful moan as she started to run her fingers through his hair and lightly scratch his scalp, and promptly stretched out on the springy grass, laying his head in her lap.

‘Ooooh.. That feels wonderful, Hermione. I knew I kept you around for a reason…ow!’

‘Serves you right, Harry Potter! So I am nothing more than a way to pass the time then, eh?’

Harry sat up and made a show of rubbing his shoulder until he caught Hermione’s pout. He leaned forward and gently kissed her, ‘Yup, and a very pleasant one at that’ and flew back just in time to avoid Hermione’s smack. He groaned painfully when his back connected with the ground.

‘Hermione, have mercy, woman. I am no more than a jumbled mass of bones today.’

He sat up again and she promptly manoeuvred herself behind him and started to knead his shoulders. He sagged and gave a moan of approval and thanks as he continued, ‘This new training system by Moody is ridiculous. It gives Oliver Wood’s mania a run for his money.’

‘He’s making it hard especially for you Harry, because you are the best and because you can do magic that no one else can. I mean, you conjured a Patronus in fifth year for Heaven’s sake.’

‘Yes, but you did the Protean charm…’

‘But that was only a charm. You have always had the magical ability to fight off dark magic.’ She applied more pressure and variation and was rewarded with Harry reaching up to pull her hands around his shoulders.

They sat there, with her resting her head half on his shoulder and half on his back, and absently registering Harry’s caresses on her arms. She leaned around him to catch sight of the emerald that glittered on the third finger of her left hand. They stood up to join the others when Ginny was about to walk down the aisle and as they walked hand-in-hand, sharing an occasional kiss or a quick hug, Hermione felt a thrill at the thought of embarking upon her own book of life. She looked forward to penning interminable chapters.

After all, marrying Harry Potter was going to be nothing short of an epic ride.